The New York Kicks’ struggles against the Eastern Conference’s top-two teams continued on Wednesday after their 124-105 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks are now 0-3 against Cleveland this season, and are trailing the season series to the Boston Celtics 3-0 by the same scoreline.
Despite leading by as many as 15 points in the second quarter, the short-handed Knicks — still missing All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who has been out since March 6 with an ankle sprain — couldn’t hold off the Cavaliers. But despite their struggles against the East’s elite, New York (48-28) still sits three games ahead of the Indiana Pacers (45-31) in the third seed.
As things stand, all roads head to the Knicks potentially matching up with the defending champion Celtics in the second round. And based on what we’ve seen this season, even with Brunson in the lineup, it looks increasingly likely New York could be out in the second round for the third consecutive season.
On the latest episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni were joined by Knicks beat writer James L. Edwards III to discuss New York’s struggles against the top teams, their offensive limitations against switch defenses, OG Anunoby’s scoring surge and when Brunson is expected to return. Watch the discussion below.
Watch the full episode of “NBA Daily” below or on the YouTube channel, or via the “NBA Daily” podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
(Top photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images)